Hulu Removes Controversial 'America's Next Top Model' Episode

The reality television series "America’s Next Top Model," hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks, has come under scrutiny once again as former contestants reflect on controversial episodes from its 24-season run between 2003 and 2018. Although the show has been removed from Hulu, episodes remain available for purchase on Prime Video. Entertainment Weekly recently interviewed contestants from Season 4, who expressed mixed feelings about the backlash surrounding a particular photo shoot that many now find offensive. Contestant Tiffany Richardson shared her perspective, noting that at the time, the contestants did not perceive the photo shoot as problematic. "We were pretending, like we did on every other shoot," she stated, acknowledging that her understanding of the issue has evolved over the years. Despite recognizing the potential for offense, she emphasized that the responsibility lies with the show's creators, questioning how such concepts were deemed acceptable two decades ago. The controversy is compounded by a similar incident in a 2009 episode, where contestants donned dark makeup to portray different races. This episode, however, is not currently available on Hulu. Manuel, a creative director for the show, addressed the backlash in 2020, describing the Season 4 shoot as "very uncomfortable" for him. He clarified that he was not the originator of the concept but felt compelled to execute it, challenging the notion that societal standards were significantly different at the time.